Michael Praetorius is the composer of one of the most expansive, multifaceted and innovative repertoires of the 17th century. His monolithic compositional oeuvre, taking up 20 volumes in its modern day complete edition, is almost encyclopaedic: it not only encompasses nearly all genres, styles and orchestral settings common in Praetorius’ lifetime, but also displays his intensive occupation with the most prominent European musical traditions of his time.

This recording aims at the re-discovery of his most beautiful and most experimental works. Praetorius himself wanted to spread the word of God by musical means. This programme forms the first ever reconstruction of the Office of Vespers, set out in the manner in which Praetorius himself could have performed it on the Eve of St Michael’s Day.